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Action between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Merdeka Cup football tournament, September 4, 2024 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Handout/PFF-PMNFT

Action between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Merdeka Cup football tournament, September 4, 2024 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Merdeka Cup

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1725528285834DSC04839_embed.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Merdeka Cup football tournament, September 4, 2024 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Handout/PFF-PMNFT"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Merdeka Cup football tournament, September 4, 2024 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. <em>Handout/PFF-PMNFT</em></span></span></span></div><p>A gallant stand by the Philippine men&#x27;s national football team just fell short against Malaysia, 1-2, in their first match of the Merdeka Cup on Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.</p><p>The Filipinos surged ahead in the 27th minute thanks to Jefferson Tabinas, whose cross was deflected in by a Malaysian player for an own goal.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/3/interim-coach-says-ph-football-team-to-give-a-good-fight-in-merdeka-cup-1459">READ: Despite short preparation, interim coach says PH football team to give a &#x27;good fight&#x27; in Merdeka Cup</a></div><p>But the home squad equalized just before halftime courtesy of Syamer Kutty Abba, and they went ahead in the 73rd when Matthew Baldisimo fouled a player inside the box, leading to a penalty. The spot kick was dispatched by Safawi Rasid for a 2-1 Malaysia lead.</p><p>The Philippines still had their chances to equalize, but their own calls for a penalty were unrewarded despite substitute Sandro Reyes being brought down inside the box with five minutes left. A last-ditch effort went for naught when debutant JB Borlongan and Jarvey Gayoso just missed their connection on a cross.</p><p>&quot;We fought a very good fight until the final whistle. I&#x27;m very proud of them,&quot; said interim head coach Norman  Fegidero Jr. </p><p>&quot;We had a very good chance in the first minute of the game. And then of  course, as you could see, we had another chance with what we saw was a penalty in the first half and in the second  half. But that I cannot control,&quot; he added.</p><p>Despite the defeat, it was a commendable effort for the Filipinos, who entered the tournament under difficult circumstances with coach Tom Saintfiet leaving the squad just a week before the competition started. They also had just one training session before the match against Malaysia.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/8/29/coach-tom-saintfiet-leaves-ph-mens-football-team-for-mali-1651">READ: Coach Tom Saintfiet leaves PH men&#x27;s football team for Mali</a></div><p>The Filipinos return to action on Sunday against Tajikistan for the third place game.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>A gallant stand by the Philippine men's national football team just fell short against Malaysia, 1-2, in their first match of the Merdeka Cup on Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.</p>

A gallant stand by the Philippine men's national football team just fell short against Malaysia, 1-2, in their first match of the Merdeka Cup on Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

PH men's football team suffers heartbreak vs Malaysia in Merdeka Cup

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PH men's football team suffers heartbreak vs Malaysia in Merdeka Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published September 05, 2024 05:26 PM PHT

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abssports

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football

Merdeka Cup

Malaysia

Philippines

Philippines men's national football team

PMNFT

PFF

Norman Fegidero Jr.

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